E-MU Proteus 1000

The Proteus 1000 has a decent user interface. The pages are logically laid out. The presets are good, if a bit too clinical and cold but the synth power in terms of programming is quite good so tweaking and creating sounds is fairly easy (especially with the randomize function).

The pianos (acoustic) are fair - a tad better than Korg Triton's basic ones but not as good as Kurweil and Roland or Yamaha. The electrics are good.

Standouts overall: synth sounds, BPM sounds and pads and vocal pads.

Weak: none that are terribly awful.

64 note polyphony is adequate and for the price now -$399 new - pretty good. The sounds are the exact same ones on the P-2000. The effects are sweet but- What, no leslie simulation!?!?

Aftertouch implemented well and the available velocity curve choice a big plus. None on my more expensive Roland XV3080! That's a bummer!!! Want to reprogram every user voice to remedy that? Oh what fun!

As I said, nice sounds. I like the sound of Yamaha, Korg and Roland better overall but this is well rounded and still worth looking at. In the price range, you have the Kurzweil ME-1 - all presets and only 32 polyphony but probably weet if it sounds like the PCR2 as it should and the Roland JV1010. Good solid board but also limited programming and without the depth of XV sounds. Which to choose? Depends on what you have already....I would choose the JV probably if you have only one other sound source but the Proteus is good and solid.

Seems fine but one can not be sure until one has the rpoduct a while.

I like the unit but it is my weakest board still. I love my EX5, my Karma and my XV 3080. I even think my S30 is, in the end, better.